The municipality of Paiporta has positioned itself among the best in Spain for reading promotion thanks to its project '(Re)building Reading'. The initiative, developed by the City Council through the María Moliner Municipal Public Library, secured second place among over 600 participating municipalities in the María Moliner competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture for towns with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. This recognition makes Paiporta the municipality in L'Horta with the highest-rated proposal.
The award comes with 10,000 euros, which will be used to strengthen resources for reading promotion and continue developing cultural initiatives in the municipality. The Councilor for Culture, Esther Torrijos, stated that “this award recognizes the work we are doing from the City Council to foster reading and bring it closer to all citizens. That '(Re)building Reading' has achieved second place nationally is a source of pride and an incentive to continue working in this direction”. Torrijos added that “we are committed to a vibrant, open, and accessible library, one that goes beyond book lending and creates spaces for meeting, participation, and learning for people of all ages”.
For his part, the mayor of Paiporta, Vicent Ciscar, highlighted that “Paiporta has always been a cultural benchmark in our region, and we are strengthening that role with cultural policies that reach all citizens”. Ciscar remarked that “culture is a tool for cohesion, coexistence, and community building. Therefore, we continue to advocate for accessible and quality public cultural services, which contribute to making Paiporta a more vibrant and participatory municipality”.
The '(Re)building Reading' project emerged after the DANA (heavy rainfall) of October 2024, which severely affected the María Moliner Municipal Public Library. Since its reopening, the Library has been working to recover lost collections and reinforce its role as a space for meeting and coexistence. The initiative aims to bring reading closer to all population sectors, boost reading comprehension, promote inclusion, and restore collaboration with educational centers and local entities.
The library's program includes proposals for different ages and interests, such as the Reading Passport, which involves educational centers in reading challenges, and Colla de Lletres, with oral storytelling sessions. The Aula de la Paraula offers public reading and poetic expression, and the reading clubs bring together over 50 people. Additionally, the Library promotes Tardor Literària, a series of encounters with renowned writers, and the festival “Paiporta. Món de Contes”, which in 2025 attracted 775 attendees. The project is complemented by activities promoting Valencian popular culture, creative literary workshops, and collaborations with educational centers and local entities. The Library also extends its opening hours during exam periods, a service used by over 2,000 people in 2025.
The second place achieved in the María Moliner competition, with 90 points, represents a significant recognition of the municipal initiative and the reading promotion efforts in Paiporta, standing out in a national competition aimed at boosting reading animation activities in towns with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants.
